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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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According to the GN Immigration guy..
I got my tourist card at Tecate on Tuesday. I wasn't asked for it at the GN checkpoint. After they did the spray I parked and went in and talked to
the immigration man. He said that it's problem to get a tourist card there and there is no fine and it's the same price. just FYI.
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
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Mood: mellow
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You must mean "no problem"
I wouldn't put it to the test. Just saying... 
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by vandenberg
You must mean "no problem"
I wouldn't put it to the test. Just saying... |
Thanks - yes typo - I meant 'no problem'
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Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
Posts: 555
Registered: 11-9-2011
Location: nob
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Mood: bewildered
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Good report! Thanks for taking the time to ask the questions!
I think that there is a rule in all of officialdom that requires all rules be interpreted differently by each officer. They also need to change their
own opinions of their interpretations on a bi-weekly basis.
Ask official A a question on Monday, then ask official B for confirmation and he will disagree 100% with officer A. Wait 3 weeks and ask officer A the
same question again, and he will contradict himself and agree with B's opinion. Except that B now agrees with A's previous position....
And so it goes.
It doesn't matter what country you're in, it's the same everywhere.
I have stopped assuming that I know anything about anything, and just pretend it's my first time everytime.
[Edited on 2-10-2012 by Islandbuilder]
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goldhuntress
Senior Nomad
Posts: 663
Registered: 1-28-2010
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I used to always get my tourist card in GN and never once had a problem. Then there's the famous saying "never say never" Now we just get it at the border and get it out of the way.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65307
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Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Sounds good... specially if the INM office is unmanned at the border! Seriously, (for the newbies) you are in violation if you travel south of the
'Border Zone' without a tourist card (or in any part of Mexico for over 72 hours).
The problem is knowing exactlty what is the 'Border Zone' now...? The last 'published' mention of the border zone was Maneadero (just south of
Ensenada) and Mexicali on the east side (however almost everyone claims San Felipe as being in the border zone... and it has NEVER been questioned or
checked on the east side of Baja).
It may be true that the 'border zone' is the entire state of Baja California (Norte), being that the first (and only in Baja) INM inspection is at the
state border near Guerrero Negro. In the old days the inspection station was just south of Maneadero...
Still waiting for something 'official' and new from the FEDERAL government on this.
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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I recognized the guy in GN as the same one who used to ask to see the card back 5 years ago or so.
I always liked getting the card in Ensenada but Tecate was very easy as well. Anyway, I was a bit apprehensive about crossing but everything's great
- same great people. Roads are fine - the new sections are great w/ shoulders - other sections the same . The construction detour before GN is bad but
only 5 miles or so.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13238
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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as far as I understand the law CHANGED and the new fine is $100 if you travel south of the border without proper tourist permit- according to Enrique
the immig guy in santa rosalia.
and I definitely agree with Bill, it is the same all over the world - the rules change seemingly at someone's will - and it is better to be safe
than sorry ....
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UnoMas
Nomad
Posts: 328
Registered: 2-8-2008
Location: East Cape
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Mood: Great
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Blanca you are correct from my observation at the La Paz IMN office but that doesn't mean it is that way at all IMN offices.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13050
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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To clarify things, I just called the immigration office in GN. The newest change that began in January this year is the suspension of fines for not
getting your FMM when you cross the border.
I was told that you can now get your FMM in GN with no fine..hurray...BUT you must get it within banking hours...before 4:00...so you stop at the
Immigration office and they give you a form to take to the bank...you pay 294 pesos for it there and bring back the stamped form to the office and
they give you your brand new FMM.
The same goes for all offices south...they did say if it is after banking hours, they will give you a letter to take further south.
I was also told it's a good idea to check the INAMI website for changes as there are many changes as time goes on....but for the moment, no fines.
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shitedetector
Junior Nomad
Posts: 35
Registered: 11-4-2011
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Exactly as Shari has said.
I inquired into this back in November and sure enough it worked out fine.
I went to Migracion in La Paz and easily obtained the card.
First stop is Migracion
The with the basic form and passport go to Bank and pay $294 pesos
Return to Migracion and they process. It took 1 hour in La Paz.
Note:
The Migracion offices have moved and are no longer on the Malecon. They are now on Ave. de 5 de Febrero on the South side of town.
There was never any mention of a fine.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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I like ambiguity as much as the next guy, and we all know
Mex is full of it. To me, talking to a Mex IMM officer
you get his opinion 'at that point in time', nothing
more. The Officer who comes in behind him MAY have
completely different take. I wouldn't subject myself
to the chance after driving 13 hrs. so., that someone
in the GN office may have a different reg. I always take
the extra step to insure myself, I realize you are just
posting what he told you
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UnoMas
Nomad
Posts: 328
Registered: 2-8-2008
Location: East Cape
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Mood: Great
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Wow who would have thought, the INM officials did say there were changes still being made to the new FM-3 process but thought it would be in the
application process. I bet the guy they fined for not getting his fmm prior to coming to La Paz is really pi**ed now as he put on a nice display in
the office over it.
Wonder if this has anything to do with trying to revive the goose that once laid the golden egg Nah on second thought,
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mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 20042
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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cross at san ysidro or otay: getting visas is easy-peasy, wham bam thank you maam. avoid tecate, the border is little used and immigration office is
open weird, unreliable hours. avoid ensenada and GN for visas because rules change depending on wind direction or who is on shift or who got nooky
the night before -- and they are open weird, unreliable hours.
capiche!?
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baja Steve
Nomad
Posts: 471
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Bend, or
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I have got my visa at GN quiet a few times and the only bad thing is waiting in line at the bank.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3597
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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I vote getting the visa at the border. I wouldn't trust GN. Whether there is a fine for showing up in La Paz without one is up to the LP
office.
Coming into LP from Todos on Forjadores, 5th de Febrero is where the road forks: left you see the McDonald. Turn right at the fork and the office
is on the right a block up, across from a large tire company.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13238
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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well, I think it is wonderful that the law changed and that there is no more fine...wonder what brought that about ......
thanks Shari for that update. good to know and I stand corrected and muy feliz about it.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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it's still too easy to get it at the border or NOB. push your luck folks, while you know you're violating the law because it isn't convenient for you
to stop when you cross. i'm sure there will be 1000's of "views" while you lay out the sob story of how Mexico is crooked and your life will never be
the same when the Sheet Hits The Fan.
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shitedetector
Junior Nomad
Posts: 35
Registered: 11-4-2011
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
it's still too easy to get it at the border or NOB. push your luck folks, while you know you're violating the law because it isn't convenient for you
to stop when you cross. i'm sure there will be 1000's of "views" while you lay out the sob story of how Mexico is crooked and your life will never be
the same when the Sheet Hits The Fan.
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this is getting hilarious
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Oy Vey. Seems to me that it wasn't too long ago that the official word was that if you don't get it at the border you be in BEEG trouble.
Over the years, especially with the GN office, it has been hit and miss, and all over the place.
I have to chime in with the folks who advocate getting it at the border. Unless you feel like you need some potential "adventure".
Even as Shari noted, if you find an IMM guy at the GN office, and you are there during banking hours, it is a couple of miles drive to get to the
bank. Just seems like wasted time if you can get it all done as you cross the border.
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